Gate



Jan. 8, 1924. 7 1,480,501

s. o. BRYANT GATE Filed Aug. 18. 1921 I -28 F I: i C 23 I 1 i D- -2.21.9 i e0 Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

UNITED. STATES srnrnnn o. BRYANT, or'nnrnenv, MISSOURI. 7

c earn. 1

Application filed August 18, 1921. Serial No. 493,284.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that STEPHENO. BRYANT, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Bethany, in the county of Harrison and State ofMissouri, has invented new and useful Improvements in Gates, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and"efficient gate suitable for farm use particularly in connection withwire fences and the like employed in the enclosure of pasturages and thelike and designed to efiectivel resist the elforts of stock to leave theenc osure; and with these objects in view the invention consists in aconstruction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment isshown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

' Figure 1 is an elevation of a gate embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the means whereby the runner elements ofthe gate are connected with the hinge post.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the compensating means interposed in thegate runners to cushion strains applied thereto and retain the requiredtautness of the runners.

Figure 4% is a similar View of the latch device whereby the upper end ofthe stretcher atthe free end of the gate is sesured to the latch post.

Figure 5 is a similar View of the step device for the lower end of thestretcher rod.

The gate consists of a plurality of flexible runners 10, consisting forexample and as preferred of chains, transversely connected at intervalsby bracing elements 11 also consisting of chains and arranged betweenuprights or posts which for convenience of designation may be referredto as the hi'ngepost- 12 and the latch post 13. At the hinge end of thegate adjacent to the hinge post 12 each of the runners is provided, witha terminal split ring 14 through which the body portion of the runnerextends after having been looped as at 15 around the hinge post, asuitable keeper 16 being attached to the post in spanning relation witheach looped portion of the runner to prevent the vertical displacementof the runners relative to the post and which may be of any preferredcon struction. c 7

Also interposed in the length of each runner, preferably near the hingeend there of is a compensating device consisting of a volute spring 17terminally attached to links of the chain with the intermediate portion, of the chain in a slack or loose condi- 'tion as indicated indetail in Figure 3 so as to perm t of a longitudinal extensionof thespring under tensilestrajin applied to the runner to cushion suchstrains while limiting the same within the range of elasticity ofthesprings should thestrain be excessive or'severe. i

The free ends of the runners are connected by a stretcher rod 18 andcarried by the latch post near its lower end or near the surface of theground is a step socket'19 consisting of a ring adapted to receive thelower end of the stretcher rod and preferably carried by an arm 20 whichis pivotally mounted as at 21 upon the post to permit of the swinging ofthe socket to an unob- Vstructive position with relation to the postwhen the stretcher rod is disengaged therefrom. This folding movement ofthe step socket serves to remove the same from the path of cattle orother object passing through the gateway or openingand-thus guardagalnst the displacement or dismounting of this element of the means forsecur- V mg the gate in its closed position. In addition to'the stepsocket for thelower endof the stretcher rod the latter carries a ring 22located near the upper end thereof and preferably in alignment with theuppermost runner, and having connectedtherewith a latch chain 23 adaptedto pass around the latch post in a looped form, the extremity of saidlatch chain being provided with a snap hook 2d for engagement with thering 22 so as to cooperate with the step socket in holding the stretcherrod close toand in parallelism with the latch post and with the runnersof the gate under tension. Preferably the runnerssupplemented by thecontractive eflect of the compensating device 17 r V are of such lengthas to require the applica cation of considerable strain thereto inbringing the stretcher rod into such relation l eye 19 forming the stepsocket and then us ving the stretcher rod as a lever b applying pressureto the upper end thereo to stretch the runners and bring the rod closeenough to the latch post to permit of the engagement of the latch chainas above described.

Having described the invention" What is longitudinal flexible runnersprovided at one end with means for engaging the hinge post and at theother end with. means for engaging the latch. post and provided atinterline diate points withyielding tensile cushioning means consistingof Volute springs, terminally engaged with said runners withintermediate normally slack or loose portions of the runnersconstituting neansfor liiniting the extension of the springs. g

2. A gate comprising in conjunetion with a hinge post and alatch post,of a plurality of longitudinal flexible chains provided at one end withmeans. for engagingthe hinge post and at'the other end with means foren.-

gaging the latch post, a yielding tensile cushioning means'consisting ofloop-springs carried by the chains at points intermediate theirconnections with the hinge and latch posts, said springs terminallydisengageably connected with saidchains and being adjustable to increase,an ddecrease their tension as well as the tension of the chains whichhave intermediate normally slack or loose. portions supported by the convolutions of the springs and constituting means for innit ing theextension of the springs.

In testimony Whereof'he afliXes his signerture. r v is STEPHEN O.BRYANT. 7

